Adam and Cynthia continued to walk side by side, their footsteps barely disturbing the serene quiet of the night. Cynthia stole glances at Adam now and then, her gaze lingering a moment too long on the sharp angles of his face, the way the soft light seemed to highlight his features. She blushed and quickly looked away, embarrassed by her own thoughts.
Adam turned his head toward her, breaking her reverie. "Tomorrow's a big day. Are you ready?"
Cynthia hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her tunic. "Well… honestly? I'm a little nervous," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "We've studied, and we've even fought a dragon before, but this feels… different. I just hope all our training pays off."
Adam smiled, a reassuring warmth in his expression. "Don't worry. We'll be fine. As long as we stick together, everything will work out."
Cynthia couldn't help but return his smile. "You're always so bright and positive about everything," she said, her tone light but tinged with admiration. "I shouldn't be surprised—you are the academy's golden boy, after all."
Adam laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "It's not really that," he said, looking up at the sky, his gaze fixed on the stars. "Everyone assumes I can handle everything on my own, but the truth is… I rely on you guys a lot. No warrior, no matter how skilled, can do it all by themselves. Having people you trust by your side—that's what really matters."
Cynthia stopped walking for a moment, her eyes softening as she studied him. "You always know just what to say. You inspire everyone to give their best, to believe in each other. That's why you're not just a great knight, but a great person too."
Adam turned to her, his lips curving into a modest smile. "Thanks, Cynthia," he said sincerely. "You know, you're pretty incredible yourself."
Her cheeks flushed, and she waved her hand dismissively. "Me? No, no. I'm just… ordinary. Nothing special."
Adam shook his head. "That's not true. You really proved yourself during your duel with Beatrix. Sure, you didn't win, but did you see the crowd? They cheered louder for you. You know why?" He waited, watching as her eyes flicked to his. "It's because you stood your ground, even when you knew the odds weren't in your favor. That's courage."
Cynthia's lips parted slightly, caught off guard by his words. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks again, but this time she didn't try to hide her smile. "Thank you, Adam."
As they walked, her boot caught on a stray root, and she stumbled. Before she could fall, Adam's arms shot out, steadying her. Her hands instinctively rested against his chest, and for a brief moment, they were close enough to hear each other's breaths.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice calm, his smile reassuring.
Cynthia nodded quickly, her face flushed. "Yeah… I'm fine. Thanks," she murmured, stepping back slightly.
Adam's hand lingered on hers briefly as he helped her regain her balance. "We're almost there," he said, his tone light and comforting.
They continued on, but now Cynthia was acutely aware of every step, her mind whirling. When they finally reached the lake, its surface shimmered under the silver moonlight, surrounded by tall reeds that swayed gently in the breeze. Cynthia's breath caught as she took in the scene.
"It's… beautiful," she whispered, her voice full of wonder.
Adam smiled, watching her reaction as they approached the water's edge. "Yeah," he agreed, though his gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting back to the lake.
He gently guided her to a flat patch of grass and gestured for her to sit. She sat down and nervously glanced at him. Adam crouched by the water, scooping it up in his hands and splashing it onto his face. Droplets glistened on his skin in the moonlight, and Cynthia's heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked down, her cheeks burning again.
"Cold, but refreshing," Adam said with a grin as he sat beside her.
Cynthia glanced at him from the corner of her eye, feeling her earlier nervousness begin to fade. She let out a soft sigh, the tension leaving her shoulders.
Adam tilted his head back, his eyes tracing the endless expanse of stars scattered across the velvet-black sky. A serene smile softened his features as he murmured, "The night sky… it's beautiful, isn't it?"
Cynthia followed his gaze. Her lips curved into a gentle smile as the silver moonlight danced in her eyes. "Yeah. I've always adored this view. It feels like… the stars are watching over us, reminding us how small we are in the grand scheme of things."
Adam glanced at her, the corner of his mouth lifting into a warm smile. "You've got a poetic side, huh?"
Cynthia blushed faintly, her smile widening. "Maybe a little."
Turning his gaze back to the lake, Adam let out a deep breath, his voice steady but resolute. "You know, tomorrow's a big day. It's not just about passing the exam or proving ourselves as knights. It's more than that."
He paused, his reflection shimmering on the water's surface. "It's about the people we care about. Our families, our friends… the people who rely on us. They're the reason we're doing this. Why we train, why we fight."
Cynthia turned her head to him, her expression softening as she watched him speak.
Adam glanced at her, his eyes filled with quiet determination. "We have these skills, these talents, for a reason. Not just to pass some test, but to use them for something greater. To protect those who can't protect themselves. To make our kingdom feel safe, to make sure the people we care about can look up at this same night sky without fear."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before his smile returned, "Right?"
Cynthia blinked, the sincerity in his words resonating deeply within her. A warm smile spread across her lips as she nodded. "Yeah, Adam. You're right. We'll do our best. Not just for the exam, but for everyone waiting for us to come back safely. For the kingdom."
Adam's smile grew, and for a fleeting moment, the chaos of the world seemed to fade, leaving only the calm reflection of the moonlit lake and the unspoken bond between them.
Cynthia's gaze fixed on Adam for some time. Taking a deep breath, she finally said, "Adam. There's something… I need to tell you."
Adam turned his head to her, his expression open and curious. "Okay, I'm listening."
Cynthia shifted closer, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her tunic. "Adam, I…"
But before the words could escape her lips, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment. A familiar voice called out, "Cynthia?"
Startled, she turned to see Victor standing a short distance away, his dark eyes focused on her. "Victor?" she said, her voice tinged with surprise.
Adam stood and offered a friendly smile. "Oh, hey Victor. You came to see the lake too, huh?"
Victor didn't respond. His gaze shifted between the two of them, lingering on how close they had been sitting. Without a word, he strode forward, his expression unreadable, and took Cynthia's hand firmly in his. "Let's go," he said curtly.
"Wait, what?" Cynthia stammered, her voice tinged with confusion as Victor began to pull her away. "Victor, I—"
Victor's grip tightened slightly, and he didn't stop. Cynthia glanced over her shoulder at Adam, who stood watching them leave. He waved at her with a small smile, his expression calm.
Once they were out of sight of the lake, Cynthia pulled her hand free, spinning on her heel to face Victor. Her cheeks were flushed, half from frustration and half from embarrassment. "What was that all about?!" she demanded, folding her arms across her chest.
Victor's brows furrowed, and he looked at her with a mix of concern and exasperation. "What were you thinking coming out here? You know there are dragons lurking in this region!"
Cynthia's expression hardened, her tone sharp. "I was perfectly safe." She glanced away, a faint blush creeping over her cheeks as she added, "And besides, Adam was with me. You didn't have to drag me away like that."
Victor let out a slow breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly as guilt flickered across his face. "Look, I'm… sorry, okay? I wasn't trying to upset you." He rubbed the back of his neck, his voice softening. "I just… I was worried about you. That's all."
Cynthia's expression softened at his apology, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Hey, it's okay," she said, her tone warmer now. "Sorry for yelling. I just wanted a little fresh air, and I happened to bump into Adam."
Victor's eyes flickered briefly, but he nodded, his tension easing. "Fair enough," he said, offering her a faint smile. "But for the record, if you're nervous about tomorrow, you don't have to be. I'll be there, right by your side."
For a moment, Cynthia stared at him, her lips twitching into a playful smile. "Aww, my hero," she teased, clasping her hands dramatically over her chest. "I feel so safe already."
Victor's cheeks reddened slightly, but he couldn't help the grin that tugged at his lips. "Alright, alright," he said, chuckling as he rubbed the back of his neck again. "You made your point."
They both laughed softly, the tension between them dissolving as they began walking back to camp.
The morning sun had barely risen before the battlefield erupted into chaos. Screams of knights and the deafening roars of dragons filled the air. The ground shook beneath the weight of the massive beasts, their scales glinting ominously in the light as they unleashed fiery blasts and razor-sharp claws upon their foes.
Amid the frenzy, Mike caught sight of a smaller dragon in the distance, its wings spread wide as it loomed over a group of female students, ready to strike. In a blur of motion, he darted across the field, the enhancements in his armor propelling him at superhuman speed. With a single, precise slash, he severed the dragon's head.
As the beast crumpled to the ground, Mike stood on top it, grinning triumphantly. He turned to the girls, brushing nonexistent dust from his shoulder. "Don't worry, ladies. Your savior has arrived!"
One of the girls crossed her arms and raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "We didn't need your help, you know. We had it under control."
Mike waved her off, his grin undeterred. "Sure, sure," he said, already zipping toward another dragon. His laughter echoed as he sliced through its wing. "This new armor is incredible! I'm faster and stronger than ever!"
Nearby, David cleaved his sword through the neck of a dragon, watching as it collapsed in a heap. He turned toward Mike, his expression stern. "Don't get cocky, Mike! Stay focused, or you'll end up as dragon food!"
The girls from earlier squared off against a larger dragon, its hulking frame casting a shadow over them. They worked together to fend it off, but the beast was relentless. With a deafening roar, it swung its massive tail, sending them flying through the air. One of them groaned in pain as the dragon approached her, its maw opening wide, rows of sharp teeth gleaming.
Suddenly, the beast froze. Blood splattered the ground as Adam descended from above, his blade piercing the dragon's skull. The beast let out a final guttural roar before collapsing lifelessly. Adam landed with effortless grace, pulling his sword free and turning to the girls with a warm smile. "Are you all right?"
The girls scrambled to their feet, their faces flushed as they gathered around him. "Yes! Thank you, Adam!" one of them gushed.
Adam gave them a reassuring nod. "Good. Stay close to the others and keep your guard up." The girls blushed as Adam took off.
From across the field, Mike's voice rang out, "Hey! No fair!"
Meanwhile Frank, had just dispatched a dragon with a swift strike to its spine. Breathing heavily, he surveyed the battlefield. "So far, so good," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
But as he prepared to engage another target, a sharp, piercing sound rang in his ears. His vision blurred for a moment, and he staggered, clutching his head.
"Not this again," he groaned, the ringing growing louder, more urgent.
Then he saw it—movement beneath the ground, a ripple of disturbed earth headed straight for his friend. His blood ran cold as realization struck. "Ben! Get out of there! Move! NOW!"
Ben turned toward him, confusion etched across his face. "What do you mean, Frank? There's nothing—"
The ground beneath Ben erupted violently, dirt and rocks flying in all directions as a massive earth dragon emerged. Its colossal jaws opened wide, rows of jagged teeth gleaming as it lunged toward him, about to swallow him whole.